Newshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/do/not/override/panel/taxonomy/term/1/2
enWho tried to burn a bank?http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-03/who-tried-burn-bank-0
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</p><p>Firefighters and police are investigating a fire in an Augusta bank over the weekend.</p>
<p>Firefighters and police were called to Regions Bank, 1219 Augusta West Parkway, Monday morning after an employee discovered a smoky haze in the building. An Augusta Fire Department arson investigator discovered someone had set a fire in the bathroom sometime after the bank closed for business Friday afternoon, according to an incident report.</p>
<p>Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies did not find any signs of forced entry at any of the bank entrances. </p>
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-03/who-tried-burn-bank-0#commentsCrime & courtsLatest NewsMetroNewsBianca Cain JohnsonTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:28:32 +0000Bianca Cain Johnson597530 at http://chronicle.augusta.comJohn Grisham won't join Augusta lawyers in private probation legal battle but supports efforthttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/john-grisham-wont-join-augusta-lawyers-private-probation-legal-battle
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<p>John Grisham will be in the legal corner of a couple Augusta lawyers – in spirit, at least.</p>
<p>The famous Southern writer turned down a request from John Bell to join him and Jack Long in their fight against private, for-profit probation companies. Known for such books on courtroom drama as <em>A Time to Kill</em> and <em>Runaway Jury,</em> Grisham did offer them encouragement in a letter.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/john-grisham-wont-join-augusta-lawyers-private-probation-legal-battle" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/john-grisham-wont-join-augusta-lawyers-private-probation-legal-battle#commentsCrime & courtsLatest NewsMetroNewsCrime & CourtsSandy HodsonTue, 03 Mar 2015 02:50:25 +0000Sandy Hodson597510 at http://chronicle.augusta.comSenator drafts stricter bill on cannabis oilhttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2015-03-02/senator-drafts-stricter-bill-cannabis-oil
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<p>ATLANTA — A senator said Monday that he has filed a new bill to legalize medicinal marijuana in Georgia that would avoid legal problems that could arise under the House version, which passed overwhelmingly last week.</p>
<p>Sen. Lindsey Tippins of Cobb County said his proposal would set up a four-year study that would be open only to people younger than 18 who have seizures that have not been responsive to medication.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2015-03-02/senator-drafts-stricter-bill-cannabis-oil" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2015-03-02/senator-drafts-stricter-bill-cannabis-oil#commentsGovernmentMetroNewsState WireBill HendrickTue, 03 Mar 2015 02:25:36 +0000Bill Hendrick597508 at http://chronicle.augusta.comEx-superintendent in Atlanta cheating scandal dieshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/ex-superintendent-atlanta-cheating-scandal-dies
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<p>ATLANTA — Beverly Hall, the former Atlanta Pub&shy;lic Schools superintendent charged in what prosecutors called a broad conspiracy to cheat on state exams, has died without being tried in the case that reverberated nationwide.</p>
<p>Hall died from complications of the breast cancer that kept her from participating in an ongoing trial of 12 other defendants, her legal team said Monday. She was 68.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/ex-superintendent-atlanta-cheating-scandal-dies" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/ex-superintendent-atlanta-cheating-scandal-dies#commentsCrime & courtsEducationLatest NewsMetroNewsCrimeEducationKathleen FoodyTue, 03 Mar 2015 02:14:58 +0000Kathleen Foody597507 at http://chronicle.augusta.comTrial begins for man accused of trying to kill his brother-in-lawhttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/trial-begins-man-accused-trying-kill-his-brother-law
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<p>A bench trial will continue Tuesday morning for a man who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing of his brother-in-law.</p>
<p>Chief Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet began hearing evidence Monday in Richmond County Superior Court in the case of Hussein McKenny, 28.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/trial-begins-man-accused-trying-kill-his-brother-law" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/trial-begins-man-accused-trying-kill-his-brother-law#commentsCrime & courtsLatest NewsMetroNewsRichmond County CrimeCrimeCrime & CourtsTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:56:57 +0000Staff597504 at http://chronicle.augusta.comProposed Grovetown water park faces zoning, infrastructure obstacleshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/proposed-grovetown-water-park-faces-zoning-infrastructure-obstacles
<p>Columbia County officials are recommending commissioners reject a $20 million plan to build a water park in Grovetown near Inter&shy;state 20 because of infrastructure and other concerns.</p>
<p>Officials said the proposal, which fails to satisfy a number of government requirements, will “cause excessive burden to existing roadways and utility infrastructure.”</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/proposed-grovetown-water-park-faces-zoning-infrastructure-obstacles" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/proposed-grovetown-water-park-faces-zoning-infrastructure-obstacles#commentsMetroNewsGovernmentWesley BrownTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:41:02 +0000Wesley Brown597503 at http://chronicle.augusta.comReading across Augustahttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/reading-across-augusta
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/reading-across-augusta#commentsMetroNewsPhotoMichael HolahanTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:20:42 +0000Michael Holahan597501 at http://chronicle.augusta.comMan's trial continues in brother-in-law's stabbing after issuing insanity pleahttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/mans-trial-continues-brother-laws-stabbing-after-issuing-insanity-plea
<p>A bench trial will continue this morning for a man who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing of his brother-in-law.</p>
<p>Chief Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet began hearing evidence Monday in Richmond County Superior Court in the case of Hussein McKenny, 28.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/mans-trial-continues-brother-laws-stabbing-after-issuing-insanity-plea" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/mans-trial-continues-brother-laws-stabbing-after-issuing-insanity-plea#commentsCrime & courtsLatest NewsMetroNewsRichmond County CrimeCrimeCrime & CourtsTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:59:42 +0000Staff597499 at http://chronicle.augusta.comCostco makes deal with Visa, Citigrouphttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/costco-makes-deal-visa-citigroup
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<p>NEW YORK — If you’re shopping at Costco, you’ll need a new credit card to pay for those family-sized packs of chicken breasts.</p>
<p>After only accepting American Express the past 16 years, the retailer is switching to Visa and will use Citigroup as its exclusive provider of co-branded credit cards.</p>
<p><strong>Q: What will change?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/costco-makes-deal-visa-citigroup" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/costco-makes-deal-visa-citigroup#commentsBusinessNewsKen Sweet and Candice ChoiTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:49:08 +0000Ken Sweet and Candice Choi597495 at http://chronicle.augusta.comNasdaq 5,000: index passes dot-com milestone after 15 yearshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/nasdaq-5000-index-passes-dot-com-milestone-after-15-years
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<p>NEW YORK — For the first time since its dot-com era peak nearly 15 years ago, the Nasdaq composite has closed above 5,000.</p>
<p>Major U.S. indexes rose from the start, with the Nasdaq passing the milestone number shortly before noon. The tech heavy index then dropped, but rose again toward the close of trading to end at 5,008.10, just 40 points from its March 2000 record.</p>
<p>Merger news and an encouraging economic report drove the gains.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/nasdaq-5000-index-passes-dot-com-milestone-after-15-years" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2015-03-02/nasdaq-5000-index-passes-dot-com-milestone-after-15-years#commentsBusinessNewsMatthew CraftTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:38:59 +0000Matthew Craft597493 at http://chronicle.augusta.comMan fights with cops before arrest on drug, weapons chargeshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/man-fights-cops-arrest-drug-weapons-charges
<p>Police said an armed Augusta man in possession of multiple drugs fled and fought with officers before being taken into custody on Sunday.</p>
<p>Deputies were called to the parking lot of McDonald’s on Wrightsboro Road about 4:35 p.m. after someone reported seeing a man slumped over in the driver’s seat.</p>
<p>When a deputy approached the driver’s side window of the GMC Yukon, the driver -- Joey Rustle Strong, 29, of London Boulevard -- put the vehicle in gear and fled.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/man-fights-cops-arrest-drug-weapons-charges" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-03-02/man-fights-cops-arrest-drug-weapons-charges#commentsCrime & courtsLatest NewsMetroNewsCrime & CourtsBianca Cain JohnsonTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:38:33 +0000Bianca Cain Johnson597492 at http://chronicle.augusta.comS.C. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Project Jackson appealhttp://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/sc-supreme-court-hear-oral-arguments-project-jackson-appeal
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<p>South Carolina’s highest court’s decision to hear oral arguments in the appeal of North Augusta’s Project Jackson development could threaten the planned opening of a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets next year.</p>
<p>The state Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the May term, according to the clerk of court’s office. The decision was made after lawyers for North Augusta and appellant Stephen Donohue, a homeowner in North Augusta who opposes the location for the stadium, filed written briefs.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/sc-supreme-court-hear-oral-arguments-project-jackson-appeal" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/sc-supreme-court-hear-oral-arguments-project-jackson-appeal#commentsLatest NewsMetroNewsDowntown stadiumCrime & CourtsMeg MirshakTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:23:19 +0000Meg Mirshak597491 at http://chronicle.augusta.comGas prices climbing but shouldn't hit $3, experts sayhttp://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/gas-prices-climbing-shouldnt-hit-3-experts-say
<p>Gas prices have been climbing above $2 locally, but experts say they should not reach $3 a gallon this year.</p>
<p>“Gas prices will be relatively volatile in the coming months, but should decline by the summer following the end of maintenance season,” AAA Spokesman Mark Jenkins said.</p>
<p>In late 2014, gas prices steadily dropped to the delight of motorists across the country.</p>
<p>The 123 consecutive days of price decline, the longest such streak on record, ended the last week of January. There has since been a steady rise in prices.</p>
<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/gas-prices-climbing-shouldnt-hit-3-experts-say" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-03-02/gas-prices-climbing-shouldnt-hit-3-experts-say#commentsLatest NewsMetroNewsAugusta EconomyBianca Cain JohnsonTue, 03 Mar 2015 00:00:43 +0000Bianca Cain Johnson597490 at http://chronicle.augusta.comWinter has worst week yet, brings need for springhttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/winter-has-worst-week-yet-brings-need-spring
<p><em>I get a bit gloomy when it’s gloomy.</em></p>
<p><strong>– Catherine Zeta-Jones</strong></p>
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<p>We took a vote at my house and chose the past week as the worst in a long time.</p>
<p>Weather was bad.</p>
<p>Ice and cold without the beauty of snow. Rain without the beauty of stopping.</p>
<p>Everybody looked sick or felt sick or was sick.</p>
<p>And the price of gas went back up, too, just when I was thinking I’d go someplace sunny and warm.</p>
<p>It was a long week, but a short month, so welcome, March.</p>
<p>(Would it hurt you to bring the sun back out?)</p>
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<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/winter-has-worst-week-yet-brings-need-spring" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/winter-has-worst-week-yet-brings-need-spring#commentsMetroBill KirbyNewsBill KirbyBill KirbyMon, 02 Mar 2015 23:51:39 +0000Bill Kirby597489 at http://chronicle.augusta.comRants & Raveshttp://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/rants-raves
<p>Comments from readers:</p>
<p><strong>RAVES TO THE</strong> citizens of Hephzibah who were adamant about the awful, run-down former school. You being vocal about this eyesore made them tear it down at last. To get anything done in this town you are going to have to stand up.</p>
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<p><strong>OBAMA’S</strong> government is now spending several million dollars to save butterflies. The world’s falling apart, and he’s worried about butterflies.</p>
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<p><a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/rants-raves" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2015-03-02/rants-raves#commentsMetroNewsRants & RavesMon, 02 Mar 2015 22:56:22 +0000Staff597488 at http://chronicle.augusta.com